Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has insisted that his side will have no advantage over Manchester City as they play 24 hours before their title rivals this weekend.
Mourinho can see his table-topping side open up a five-point gap if they win their game at Swansea City on Saturday, with Man City entertaining Arsenal on Sunday.
The Portuguese coach has played down any effect the fixture list can have on either of the title challengers, insisting there will be no extra pressure on Manuel Pellegrini's men.
"I don't think the big boys feel too much pressure," he said at his prematch news conference. "We are big boys, they are big boys. It does not affect us a lot, the result of the other one. We both have jobs to do.
"[Whatever] the result of the other one, we have to try to win matches. If you can get points tomorrow, don't think that affects the City game."
Mourinho could yet dip into the January transfer market to bolster his options, and Chelsea do now have a empty spot in their 25-man Premier League squad following the exit of Mark Schwarzer to Leicester City. Clubs can name only 25 players aged over 21 for the final months of the season.
"Last year, you asked me and I didn't lie to you, but at the end [Juan] Mata was sold [to Manchester United], and because he was sold we had to react to that," he explained. "I am happy with the squad, it is not big, but we have a good group, not just a group to play but to live together.
"I will happy if nobody leaves or comes this month but the market is open and you never know. I do not want to lie to you."
Swansea will be without Wilfried Bony for the game against Chelsea after he was sold to Man City, and Mourinho admitted the prolific striker would strengthen his rivals.
Mourinho is thought to have been interested in Bony before signing Loic Remy from QPR in the summer, and he offered qualified praise for the signing amid thinly veiled criticism of City's transfer policy.
He said: "Well done, good player, good striker, if they have the money and can spend it and have no problems with [financial fair play], well done. They can only play with 11, unless the rules for them are different and they can play with 12.
"It looks like the rules are different for them in certain aspects, but not this one. If Bony plays and [Edin] Dzeko is on the bench, I am happy with that. Fantastic squad, one more top player for that squad. [Sergio] Aguero, [Stevan] Jovetic, Bony and Dzeko are fantastic. Well done."
The Ivory Coast striker would not have played against Chelsea even if he was still at the Welsh side due to the African Nations Cup, and Mourinho stated Swansea still pose a threat.
"I don't know if [Bony] is their best player, [they are a] very good team, and very good teams do not depend on one player," he added. "It is more on organisation, philosophy, the way they think and play. Swansea are a good example of that. Losing a good player does not mean they will be less difficult."